[0001] The invention relates to a rigid cradle for retaining a fragile container during
shipping which is usable in a postcard type package for flowable substances.
[0002] Various attempts have heretofore been made to provide a mailable package for fragile
items. The Sparks U.S. Patent No. 2,646,876 (hereinafter the 876 patent) discloses
a mailable display package to hold an article for shipment which uses a thick boxboard
to form the structure and employs a series of flaps to seal the package.
[0003] A drawback of the 876 patent is a requirement for a thick boxboard that increases
the weight of the shipping container, increases the size of the total package and
increases the material costs. A further drawback of the boxboard is an increased difficulty
in producing the boxboard with the required cut-outs and creases which results in
increased production costs. A still further drawback of the 876 patent is the increased
production costs involved with producing the large number of flaps.
[0004] The Taylor U.S. Patent No. 4,240,547 (hereinafter the 547 patent) discloses a compact,
reusable specimen mailer to safely ship fragile specimens. It uses a polystyrene plastic
foam to form the structure and employs an absorbent material around the specimen containers.
[0005] The Briggs U.S. Patent No. 4,777,964 (hereinafter the 964 patent) discloses a blood
sampling kit and a method of use which uses a base member and a backing to serve as
a floor portion for blood vials. It further contains an alcohol swab, a finger-pricking
element and clay. In addition, the 964 patent employs a separate masked envelope,
Fig. 2, to send the samples safely via the postal service.
[0006] It is an object of this invention to provide a cradle which is usable in a postcard-type
package for shipping sample containers via the postal service.
[0007] Another object of this invention is to provide a cradle for a postcard-type package
for shipping sample containers via the postal service which safely retains a fragile
container while allowing the receiver of the postcard-type package to open the package
and easily remove the sample container from the cradle.
[0008] A further object of this invention is to provide a cradle for a postcard-type package
for shipping sample containers which visibly displays the sample container when the
package is sealed in order to maximize the sample container's visibility at the receiving
point.
[0009] The cradle which solves the above referenced objects is defined in claim 1. Preferred
embodiments of claim 1 are defined in the subclaims.
[0010] The cradle according to the invention is usable in an improved postcard-type package
for flowable substances which may be used for shipping sample containers via the postal
service employing a low cost sheet, such as a single-ply cardboard, and a cradle which
may be composed of a plastic type material. The cardboard sheet is inexpensively produced
requiring only one or more foldlines and a slotted opening.
[0011] The postcard-type package comprises a relatively stiff flat sheet having a creased
centerline forming a first and second section, a slotted opening cut in the second
section and a cradle. The cradle comprises a rigid material shaped in such way that
the cradle retains a container. The cradle is inserted into the slotted opening and
secured by a flange to the second section. The container containing a flowable substance
is inserted into the cradle. The container is a sample vial with a stopper. A sealing
means, preferably comprising tape or glue, is employed to hold the folded first and
second sections securely together.
[0012] A preferred cradle is composed of a non-opaque material that allows the container
to be seen through the cradle. Further, the container includes a label. A preferred
container contains a sample quantity of a fragrance for advertising purposes.
[0013] A preferred cradle has a means for retaining the container. The retaining means is
designed to maintain the container in the cradle whereby the container's movement
is sufficiently restricted in order to substantially reduce the possibility that the
container will be damaged during shipping of the postcard-type package. At the same
time, the retaining means is designed to allow the receiver to easily remove the container
from cradle. An example of the ease of removing the container from the cradle entails
the receiver opening the postcard-type package and applying a removal force in order
to separate the container from the cradle. Such removal force may consist of using
a fingernail to pick out the container from the cradle. An example of the retaining
means consist of one or more molded clasps that are an integral part of the cradle
protruding out from the inside. Alternatively, one or more clasps are separate pieces
that are fastened directly to the inside surface of the cradle.
[0014] In a preferred embodiment, the first section is a business reply card to enable the
receiver to simply, easily and at no expense, communicate directly with the sender.
[0015] Preferably, the sections are folded along the crease to enable direct contact with
each other, thus, forming a sealed package to enable the container to be safely shipped
without further restraining devices.
[0016] As used herein, the term "foldlines" are intended to encompass a single straight
line extending completely across the relatively stiff flat sheet formed by a scored
continuous line.
[0017] It will be apparent from the foregoing general description that the objects of the
invention specifically enumerated herein are accomplished by the present invention.
[0018] Thus, it has been found that a postcard-type package can be constructed more economically
utilizing thin gauge materials than those utilized to construct prior packages containing
sample containers. In addition, it has been found that production and assembly of
a package can be substantially reduced at the same time the liklihood of damage to
the container can be eliminated by utilizing the invention. Moreover, it has been
found that the invention increases the advertising visiblility of the product by displaying
the container.
[0019] It will be understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed
description are exemplary and explanatory of the invention but are not restrictive
thereof.
[0020] The accompanying drawings, referred to herein and constituting a part hereof, illustrate
preferred embodiments of the present invention, and together with the description
serve to explain the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] Figs. 1A, 1B and 1C are a prespective view of alternative embodiments of a postcard-type
package in its opened condition, the view showing the placement of the container into
the cradle and of the cradle into the slotted-opening of the relatively stiff substantially
flat sheet containing foldlines.
[0022] Fig. 2A is a front angled perspective view of the postcard-type package shown in
Fig. 1, this view illustrating the package in its closed condition for shipping and
showing the visibility of the container.
[0023] Figs. 2B and 2C are side perspective views of the postcard type package shown in
Fig. 2A.
[0024] Figs. 3A, 3B and 3C are perspective views of the cradle. Fig 3A is a top perspective
view. Fig. 3B is a fragmentary view illustrating the clasps. Fig. 3C is a side perspective
view.
[0025] Referring now more particularly to Figs. 1A, 2A, 2B and 2C of the accompanying drawings,
there is illustrated a postcard-type package constructed in accordance with the preferred
embodiment.
[0026] As here embodied, the postcard-type package includes a relatively stiff substantially
flat sheet divided by a creased foldline 7 advantageously into two equal sized sections,
5 and 6. Section 6 is prorvided with a slotted opening 4 where a cradle 3 is in direct
contact with section 6 by flange 13. Container 1 has a removable opening 2 and is
mounted directly into cradle 3.
[0027] Preferably, the relatively stiff substantially flat sheet is made up of a single-ply
carboard, the cradle 3 is made up of polystyrene or polyester or a copolymer thereof,
and the container 1 is made of glass or plastic which may depend upon the nature of
the contents and the material costs.
[0028] It will be seen from the foregoing that the structure of Figs. 1A and 2A forms an
enclosed chamber between section 5 and cradle 3, in which container 1 is held. This
is accomplished by folding sections 5 and 6 along the creased foldline 7 in the direction
shown in Fig. 1A until sections 5 and 6 contact each other.
[0029] As seen in Fig 2A, folded sections 5 and 6 form a package and are secured by seal
15 and/or adhesive 16. In this sealed form, container 1 is visible but enclosed within
cradle 3. In addition, as shonw in Fig. 2A, section 5 has space for mailing label
17 and postage 14. Figs. 2B and 2C further show side views of the folded postcard-type
package.
[0030] Referring more particularly to the preferred embodiment, Fig. 1A, section 5 contains
a printed communication in the form of a business reply card. After receiving the
folded postcard-type package in the form shown in Fig. 2, the postcard-type package
can be unfolded and section 5 can be separated from section 6 at foldline 7 and section
5 can be returned to the sender.
[0031] Fig. 1B illustrates a further advantageous arrangement for a postcard-type package
containing sections 5, 8 and 9 that are one or more business reply cards which can
be separated along foldline 7.
[0032] Fig. 1C illustrates a still further advantageous arrangement for a postcard-type
package containing sections 5, 10 and 11 that are one or more business reply cards
and/or packetts 12 containing a flowable substance which can be separated along foldline
7. Packetts 12 are shaped to fit securely in the postcard-type package and are preferably
made up of burst-proof packettes.
[0033] Perspective views of cradle 3 are shown in Figs. 3A, 3B and 3C. In a preferred embodiment,
cradle 3 is provided with one or more clasps 18 protruding from the surface of cradle
3 for retaining container 1. As illustrated in Fig. 3B, clasp 18 is located around
the inside circumference of the cradle. As can be seen in Fig. 3C, clasp 18 can consist
of a separate curvilinear piece attached to the inner surface of the cradle or can
be molded clasps that are an integral part of the cradle protruding out from the inner
surface of cradle 3.
1. A cradle for retaining a container comprising a shape substantially corresponding
to said container and dimensions sufficient to enable said container to fit within
said cradle and means for retaining said container in said cradle.
2. A cradle for retaining a container according to claim 1, wherein said retaining means
includes a plurality of clasps in order to sufficiently restrict said container's
movement to prevent damage to said container during shipment while allowing for removal
of said container from said cradle.
3. A cradle for retaining a fragile container during shipping, said cradle comprising:
(a) a chamber having a length and width sufficient to enable said container to fit
within said chamber and having a shape substantially corresponding to the shape of
said container;
(b) an open base for inserting said container into said chamber;
(c) a flange integral to said chamber and extending outwardly from each side of said
open base; and
(d) one or more clasps protruding out from said inner surface and extending continously
around substantially the entire inner surface and spanning across substantially the
entire inner surface of said chamber in a widthwise direction, said clasps being present
in a number sufficient to restrict said container's movement during shipping but allow
for said container's removal after shipping, said clasps being the sole means required
for retaining said container and preventing damage to said container during shipping.
4. The cradle as recited in claim 3, wherein at least two clasps are present and wherein
said chamber, said flange, and said clasps are composed of a rigid plastic material.
5. The cradle as recited in claim 4, wherein said plastic material is non-opaque.
6. The cradle as recited in claim 5, wherein said plastic material is polystyrene or
a polyester copolymer.
7. The cradle as recited in claim 3, wherein said chamber, said flanges and said clasp
or clasps are molded in one piece from a rigid plastic.
8. The cradle as recited in claim 3, wherein said clasp or clasps have pinch points located
on each end of said clasp or clasps.
9. The cradle as recited in claim 4, wherein said chamber, said flange, and said clasps
are molded in one piece from polystyrene and wherein said clasps have pinch points
located on each end of said clasps.